Nigeria finally got the better of arch-rivals Ghana and the Central African Republic shocked Cameroon as 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifying was completed this weekend.
There were also unexpected exits for the Ivory Coast and Mali in a unique international competition as it is restricted to footballers playing in their country of birth.
Nigeria and Ghana have met twice before in Chan qualifying and each time the Ghanaians have emerged victorious, winning once on aggregate and once on penalties.
But after being held 0-0 at home last weekend, Ghana conceded three goals before halftime in the return match in Uyo and finished 3-1 losers on the night and on aggregate.
The tie was won and lost in four minutes midway through the opening half as Sodiq Ismail, Nduka Junior and Issac Saviour netted.
A goal from Stephen Amankona with 17 minutes remaining was all two-time Chan runners-up Ghana could manage in reply.
While Nigeria celebrated, there was also relief at booking a place for the 1-28 February tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda after failing to qualify for the last two editions.
They will travel to east Africa as one of the title favourites, and their squad is likely to include 44-year-old midfielder Rabiu Ali, who came off the bench in Uyo.
The odds seemed stacked against the Central African Republic after they lost 1-0 in a first leg moved to the Ivory Coast because they lack an international-standard stadium.
CENTRAL AFRICANS CREATE HISTORY
Cameroon, whose best showing at a Chan was fourth as 2021 hosts, doubled the aggregate advantage to two goals in Bafoussam when Angel Yondje scored.
But the visitors levelled before halftime when Jerde Ndokamanji converted a penalty and won the tie on away goals when Bertillon Yangana scored after 87 minutes for a 2-1 second-leg victory.
It will be the first time the Central African Republic, ranked 135th in the world, will compete at the finals of a Caf senior men's tournament.
Ivory Coast fell 2-0 away to Burkina Faso – the same score by which they had won at home – then lost 4-2 on penalties in Bamako.
The match was staged in the Malian capital as Burkina Faso are among almost 20 countries in Africa who cannot play at home because of sub-standard stadiums.
Mali, participants in five of the previous seven Chan tournaments, were held 0-0 at home by Mauritania, who advanced having won 1-0 in Nouakchott last weekend.
It was the fourth time the countries have clashed in Chan qualifying and each nation has succeeded twice.
Although Europe-based stars like 2024 African player of the year Ademola Lookman cannot take part, Chan matches carry full international status and count toward the world rankings.